Page 100 of Hunters and Hydrangeas

Cassian feigns a smile like he’s hoping it will reach his voice. “I’ve been trying to get in touch with you.”

“Why would Jameson call him?” I whisper to Noah.

“I’m not sure.”

“I don’t suppose you’ve been keeping tabs on your son recently?” Cassian continues, pretending he doesn’t know about his friend’s involvement. He pauses, listening. “Sophia appears to be fine, but she was rattled.”

I glance at Sophia, gauging her reaction. Her eyes are on Cassian, her hand hovering near his arm like she wants to offer comfort but isn’t sure she should.

“Yes, I’m aware she might be involved, and I’m keeping an eye on her.”

The pretty vampire gasps, offended, dropping her hand with a scowl. Cassian shoots her a look as he listens to Jameson, silently telling her to be quiet.

“You know I can’t touch Gerald. Not without shooting myself in the foot. Call me cynical, but I very much doubt I’ll get the majority vote if I start killing off my competition. People tend to look down on that sort of behavior these days.”

Sophia turns back to Cassian, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth. She’s close enough she can hear the conversation, and something has caught her attention.

Cassian’s manner changes as well. It sharpens, becoming slightly less friendly.

“For now, we’ll watch over her, but I appreciate your offer.” Ending the call, he says, “See you in a few days.”

We’re all quiet as we wait for Cassian to put his thoughts in order.

“Well?” Noah asks.

“Jameson offered to put Piper under his protection.”

Noah’s answering growl is a little startling. “I’m sure he would like us to hand her over to him.”

Cassian nods, closing his eyes again.

The car comes to a stop in front of the hotel, and we leave the cool air conditioning and step into the sticky night. It feels like our beach wedding was ages ago, even if it was only a few hours.

On our way inside, Cassian coughs.

Just like yesterday, I think nothing of it, but everyone else stops in their tracks.

When I realize what’s going on, I turn back. “Why are you coughing?”

“Dust?” Cassian asks Noah, unnerved.

“What else could it be?” he responds.

Except Cassian looks weary. On impulse, I take several steps forward and place my hand on the vampire’s forehead. He steps back, startled to find me in his space.

“Cassian…” I lower my hand. “I think…I think you have a fever.”

23

“I can’t have a fever.”Cassian laughs like it’s ridiculous, though he looks a touch freaked out.

“Okay…” I say. “But maybe we should track down a thermometer and check.”

“Go up to your room,” Noah says, making me think my concern is justified. “Piper and I will stop by the retail shop in the lobby and see if they have one.”

“I haven’t had a fever in over two hundred years,” Cassian says. “I can’t have a fever—because Ican’t get sick.”

Silence blankets our group.

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